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Case Study: Copleston High School, Ipswich

Copleston High School in Ipswich did lots to celebrate Bring Home the Harvest in British Food Fortnight 2014!

They started by holding a tea party serving British food and commemorating the centenary of WW1 in their ‘Dig for Victory’ garden area. It was organised
by school’s the Duke of Edinburgh students and supported by the garden club students.

Local councillors, school governors, community members, teachers and students were invited to attend and try out some of Suffolk’s finest as the event
was supported by local producers who donated goodies. These included Rodwells Farm cheese, Lane Farm salami, Suffolk Pate Company, James white fruit
juice, Stokes’ jams and sauces and Aspalls vinegar for cooking. Local foods were researched and the school’s WOW cooking club made Suffolk rusks and
allotment cakes, using locally sourced flour to compliment the donate food and drink, and the WOW gardening club produced relish, jam and chutney.
The Duke of Edinburgh students, with the support of ICT, even put together a leaflet of local growers/producers so people would know all about them.

Other activities as part of the celebrations and to learn more about British food included a cook-off competition organised by the school caterers, Chartwells.
Three years groups were involved and it focused on the benefits of eating and cooking fresh and local produce. Two teams of a teacher and two students
in each year had 15 minutes to cook a meal, which was then critiqued by students and staff. Each team was fully supported by the whole year group cheering
on the teams.

There was also a trip to Thompson and Morgan’s to learn about plant development. Taste testing took place in the allotment, where students got to try some
more unusual items such as Crystal lemon cucumbers, cucamelons and tomatillos, and the canteen offered locally sourced food on the menu.

"Getting involved with British Food Fortnight is a fantastic opportunity for our students to participate in a number of activities, encouraging them to think about a wealth of topics connected with British food. Being a county steeped in agricultural heritage it is vital we teach our students the importance of supporting local businesses and local economy along with encouraging healthy eating of safe nutritious, traceable food farmed sustainably and the impact of food miles."

Cindy Newey, Garden Project Worker at Copleston High School

"I recently attended a Tea Party at Copleston High School where I saw the efforts the students involved in the British Food Fortnight had put back into their garden, and to the display and selection of natural fruit juice drinks, home-made relishes, cakes and fruits. I was very impressed by their efforts, enthusiasm and knowledge and am sure Suffolk’s reputation for tasty local products is safe in their hands."

Mr Richard Calvesbert, Vice Chairman Governors at Copleston High School

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The campaign Love British Food, the national food celebrations ‘British Food Fortnight’ and their associated logos are trademarked and must not be used without the express permission of the owners, Love British Food. Companies or individuals wanting to use the logos or run promotions and activity in association with British Food Fortnight or Love British Food can work with Love British Food as a member or partner or with permission from the founder.